Surgery – Means and methods for collecting body fluids or waste material – Receptacle attached to or inserted within body to receive...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-17
2001-05-15
Nguyen, Anhtuan T. (Department: 3763)
Surgery
Means and methods for collecting body fluids or waste material
Receptacle attached to or inserted within body to receive...
C604S332000, C604S337000, C128SDIG008
Reexamination Certificate
active
06231553
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a colostomy bag having a quick release type closure means, allowing the bag to be quickly and conveniently emptied, as well as an emergency bag storage and a deodorizing means.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
A colostomy is a surgical procedure in which a patient's colon is provided with an artificial opening, referred to as a stoma, through which the colon may be artificially evacuated. A disposable colostomy bag is coupled with the stoma to receive the contents from the colon. The bag is typically constructed with plastic, rubber or a similar liquid impermeable material and has an opening thereon for receiving the stoma. Once the bag is full, it is usually detached from the stoma, discarded, and replaced. The frequent removal and replacement is burdensome, inconvenient, and often irritating to the patient. Accordingly, there is currently a need for a colostomy bag which may be periodically emptied and reused, eliminating the need for frequent replacement.
Although at least one reuseable colostomy bag exists in the prior art, the frequent reuse of the bag makes it susceptible to wear, puncturing or tears. In such event, there is a need for an emergency or replacement bag to minimize spillage.
Finally, the odors associated with the use of colostomy bags can be aggravating and embarrassing. The present invention satisfies the above described needs by providing a colostomy bag having a quick release closure means at a bottom end allowing the bag to be quickly and conveniently emptied and resealed. Furthermore, the device includes a pocket on its exterior surface with an auxiliary colostomy bag therein which may be used in the event of an emergency. Furthermore, the present invention includes a scent producing patch on the exterior surface of the bag which emits a pleasant odor upon movement of the bag.
Various colostomy bag constructions exist in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,507,282 issued to Burding relates to a colostomy bag having an opening that is resealable with VELCRO® or an adhesive, such as pressure sensitive tape.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,738,661 issued to Marut relates to a gastronomy belt for use on patients who have undergone a gastronomy surgery.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,620,999 issued to Holmes relates to a system for assuring degradation of body waste bags.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,543,097 issued to Van Polen relates to an ostomy bag. The device includes a non-irritating cloth cover that substantially encloses an ostomy bag and in which a pocket is formed by at least one fold in the cover to receive a deodorizing member. The deodorizing member is impregnated with a volatile deodorant that is warmed and vaporized by a patient's body heat.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,145 issued to Campbell relates to an ostomy pouch having a filter element affixed to the pouch outer wall. The filter element includes a polymeric film cover and an insert of gas deodorizing material.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,451,258 issued to Jensen relates to an ostomy bag with an adjustable vent having a deodorizing filter housed therewithin. The air flow through the vent may be varied to enhance the effectiveness of the filter. The vent also permits precise control of the degree of inflation of the bag.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,331,148 issued to Steer et al relates to a deodorizing bag which encloses an ostomy bag. The cover bag is formed of material containing activated carbon or has an area of its inner wall filled with such filtering material.
As indicated above, at least one reuseable colostomy bag and various deodorizing devices for conventional colostomy bags exist in the prior art. Although the reusable bag in Burding includes a resealable opening for periodically emptying the bag, the opening is resealed with an adhesive or VELCRO™. Such a closure means has several disadvantages. The useful life of adhesives is typically limited since they deteriorate with frequent use. Accordingly, the bag is susceptible to sudden leakage or failure. Hook and loop fasteners (VELCRO™) often provide a tenuous, liquid permeable seal and are sometimes cumbersome to join and separate. The present invention relates to a reusable colostomy bag having a sliding tab “ziplock” resealable opening that is durable, long lasting and provides a reliable liquid impermeable seal. The bag also includes a deodorizing means that is automatically activated upon movement of the bag and an emergency bag mounted to the bag exterior in the event that the primary bag suddenly becomes unusable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a reuseable colostomy bag having a resealable opening, a deodorizing means, and an auxiliary bag for emergencies. The device comprises a hollow primary bag member, formed with a liquid impermeable material, having a top end and a bottom end. At the top end is an opening configured and dimensioned to receive a patient's stoma. The bottom end includes a pair of free edges that define a lower opening through which the contents of the bag may be emptied. A first edge includes an elongated strip having a tongue disposed thereon while the opposing edge includes a similar strip having a mating groove thereon forming a “ziplock” type resealable closure means. A tab slidably engages both free edges for selectively joining or separating the mating strips. On the exterior surface of the bag member is a pouch having an auxiliary colostomy bag received therein. A scent producing patch is also mounted on the bag exterior and includes cologne or a similar deodorizing material impregnated on its upper surface which is released upon frictional engagement with an object. Superimposed on the scent producing patch is an activating patch having a coarse lower surface that frictionally engages the upper surface of the scent producing patch. Therefore, upon movement of the bag, the deodorizing material is released to the atmosphere. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a colostomy bag having a resealable bottom opening allowing the bag to be emptied and reused.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a colostomy bag having an emergency auxiliary bag secured thereto.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a colostomy bag having a deodorizing means thereon.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment when considered with the attached drawings and the appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3507282 (1970-04-01), Burding
patent: 4318406 (1982-03-01), McLeod
patent: 4331148 (1982-05-01), Steer et al.
patent: 4451258 (1984-05-01), Jensen
patent: 4490145 (1984-12-01), Campbell
patent: 4542097 (1985-09-01), Van Polen
patent: 4620999 (1986-11-01), Holmes
patent: 4737661 (1988-04-01), Marut
patent: 4911699 (1990-03-01), Fenton
patent: 5370638 (1994-12-01), Keyes
patent: 5531724 (1996-07-01), Young et al.
patent: 5582820 (1996-12-01), Yamamoto et al.
patent: 5653705 (1997-08-01), De La Torre et al.
Medi-South Products Inc.
Nguyen Anhtuan T.
Thompson Michael M.
Tolar Kenneth
LandOfFree
Colostomy bag does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Colostomy bag, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Colostomy bag will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2572380